Looking to buy a 2006 M45

[guyonabuffalo1]

Hello all,

I'm thinking about purchasing a 2006 M45 with 155k miles. High mileage cars don't bother me as I currently drive a ML430 with 206k miles on it. I do my own maintenance and 95% of my own repairs. My question is to those M45 owners with over 100k miles on the odometer, how have things held up. I've been reading a lot about oil consumption in these models and possible engine failure, of which I would assume is due to low oil levels. Does anyone want to chime in and let me know the issues they've had? Also to those that do their own repairs, how hard is it to work on this vehicle? My MB is fairly easy to work on and it seems everything was put together with the thought of servicing the vehicle in the future. I've also looked for some sort of common issues/buyer's guide sticky but couldn't find one. Perhaps I'm looking in the wrong place.

Any info is appreciated, thanks.

[adrdsouza]

I just bought a 2007 m45 with 180k Kms on it. I live in Kuwait. My engine has some sort of knocking sound and needs to be opened they say it's due to bad maintenance (oil related)

[Larz]

The only issue I recall being discussed here with any frequency is the oil consumption of the M45 engine. Other than that, nothing comes to mind, and even that issue didn't seem to affect too many M45s.

[guyonabuffalo1]

Thanks for the replies.

Larz, the one I was thinking about is actually in your neck of the woods in Davie lol. I may just see if I can find an M35 up by me in Sarasota. The performance isn't that different between the two and I guess the V6 doesn't have the issues the V8 has. Also driving all the way down there to only find out the motor is knocking would not make me a happy person.

[Larz]

I always recommend CarMax for buying used cars. I have bought three from two different CarMax shops near me and could not be happier with the staff and the process.Plus you can get an amazing ext warranty with the car that covers virtually everything for up to 5 yrs / 100k miles from the day you drive it home. They can transfer any car to a shop near you and they don't offer cars with problems.
In fact, I just checked for you. There is an M35x with surround sound, NAV, AFS headlamps, and radar cruise. Also has the aluminum pedals, two-color interior, and only 52k miles. It is a FL car so no worries about road salt, etc. Looks like the last owner Plasti-Dipped the grille and emblems but you can peel that right off if you don't fancy the looks.

http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car/def ... lts%20page

[guyonabuffalo1]

Thanks a lot, I'll look into it.

[mexillis]

it is not as common but i have seen some M35's with enginge problems. Not all M45's are affected by oil consumption but it should be monitored regardless just to be safe. I have 135k now and only would burn regular mobil 1 about a quart within 3k miles, switched to royal purple and havent had any issues. I just switched to mobil 1 extended to see how it holds up agaisnt RP but to me the M45 not only is faster but for some reason when i was shopping around was actually cheaper than a M35 not to mention the mpg arent that much different.

[Kadrian21]

Back in February I bought my M blk on blk with 153k for $8900 good deal in my opinion with a 6 month warranty and tire warranty 3k down $200 monthly lets just say I wasted my money I didn't even use it as for engine failure mine has held up its been bulletproof so far no problems the only thing I have done is oil changes obliviously and a new radiator which isn't that expensive if you do your own repairs I say go for it but make sure the car has had only one owner and check the records for good service history if it has more than one owner I'd stay away honestly I don't seem to be affected by oil use at all I just maintain my m with the dealer btw don't use carfax use auto check its unlimited reports if your buying a car carfax is only 5 if you read the fine print 5 vins the rest by license plates or something